A student has spoken out on a horrifying incident in which she nearly died after eating a ‘broccoli sandwich’ from a food truck alleged to have killed two and left more than 17 in hospital.
The shocking incident in which several people have been left in critical condition over a simple sandwich took place in Italy, leading to a national recall of the popular panini.
The sandwiches contained grilled sausage and cime di rapa, an Italian summer vegetable that is very close to broccoli but has since caused a major health concern.
Shockingly the two deaths and multiplie hospitalisations have been linked to a food truck in Diamante, Calabria in southern Italy.
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Luigi Di Sarno, 52, and Tamara D’Acunto, 45, have both died in the last week after eating the fatal sandwich.
Now, Gaia Vitiello, a 24-year-old student hospitalised by the sandwich, has spoken out.
She stated that, at 4.30am on August 5 after a night out, she and her friends had gone for a sandwich.
Speaking to local media, per the Daily Mail, she said: “My friends only had mayonnaise, sausage and chips. I added broccoli. It was the first time I'd ever done that.”
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Reportedly she had symptoms just one hour after eating from the food truck, saying: “I had diarrhea. I thought it was indigestion. The next day, the symptoms worsened. I couldn't swallow and my legs were shaking.
“If my sister Alessia hadn't taken me to the hospital by force, I wouldn't be here today.”
After being given medicine she was discharged, stating she considers herself ‘lucky’.
Gaia, a student at the Federico II University of Naples, was suffering from botulism from the sandwich.
This is a rare condition caused by the toxins produced by a specific type of bacteria.
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Botulism is quite deadly, with 5-10 percent of cases leading to a fatality.
Nine people are being investigated in connection with the deaths, including the owner of the food truck.
The truck has been seized as part of the criminal investigation, with local prosecutors discovering that it had been parked in the sun all day.
Di Sarno was discharged from hospital before later dying, according to his sister.
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Post-mortem examinations are set to take place later this week, which is hoped to give more answers as to what exactly happened.
Authorities investigating the outbreak have seized jars of the broccoli-like vegetable and have warned people to exercise caution.
Specific warnings have been given regarding ‘risky food’, telling shoppers to avoid purchasing canned or jarred products where the safety lid has popped off.
Topics: Health, World News, Food And Drink
Michael Slavin